Master Plumbing & Pump Service technicians are licensed and registered professionals who are highly skilled, courteous, clean and trained to provide you with superior plumbing service. We hold our employees and our company to the same standard we would want in our own homes.

When you choose Master Plumbing & Pump Service you can be certain that your home will be safe and comfortable, whatever your plumbing needs.

Here is a list of some of our most common plumbing projects we perform for our customers.

Faucets

Water Heaters

Toilets

Sinks

Bathtubs

Showers

Garbage Disposals

Sump Pumps & Backup Systems

Installation of Back Flow Preventers

Water Softeners

Bathroom Remodels

Kitchen Remodels

Frozen Pipes

Leak Repairs

Pipe Replacement

Sewer Repair

Plumbing FAQs

What is Hard Water and Soft Water?

Hard water is water that contains an appreciative quantity of dissolved minerals (like calcium and magnesium) whereas soft water is treated water in which the only ion is sodium.

The major difference between hard and soft water can best be seen while doing household chores. Hard water is to blame for dingy looking clothes, dishes with spots and residue and bathtubs with lots of film and soap scum. Hair washed in hard water may feel sticky and look dull. Hard water can take a toll on household appliances as well, using up more energy. With soft water, soap will lather better and items will be left cleaner. Glasses will sparkle and hair will look healthy. The shower curtain will be scum-free. Clothes and skin are left softer. In addition to time, this can also save money, as less soap and detergents will be used. Since appliances have to work less hard, soft water can also prolong the life of washing machines, dishwaters and water heaters.

Why is it called Hard Water?

We call water “hard” if it contains a lot of calcium or magnesium dissolved in it. Hard water is less an issue of health than one of potential expense. Many of the problems created by hard water are hidden until some type of malfunction occurs in your home’s plumbing system or in water-using appliances.

Does Hard Water Cause Any Problems?

It can cause “scale” to form on the inside of pipes, water heaters, tea kettles and so on. The calcium and magnesium precipitate out of the water and stick to things. The scale doesn’t conduct heat well and it also reduces the flow through pipes. Eventually, pipes can become completely clogged. It also reacts with soap to form a sticky scum, and also reduces the soap’s ability to lather. Since most of us like to wash with soap, hard water makes a bath or shower less productive.

What are Hard Water Stains?

If your water is hard, you must have those nasty white and brown spots on your sink, tubs, and glass shower enclosures. Basically every where you have a faucet and use water. If hard water deposits are not addressed, the minerals in the water will stain and permeate the surface making it very, if not extremely difficult to remove. So don’t let those hard water stains take over. The sooner you address it, the less of a stain and build up you will have to deal with. Less time cleaning means more time to spend with your family.

What is the Hard Water Solution?

The solution to hard water is either to filter the water by distillation or reverse osmosis to remove the calcium and magnesium, or to use a water softener. Filtration would be extremely expensive to use for all the water in a house, so a water softener is usually a less costly solution.

What is Reverse Osmosis?

Reverse osmosis, (“RO”), is used to reduce dissolved solids from water. Municipalities and industrial facilities are able to use RO permeate as a consistently pure drinking water supply and to transform drinking water to high purity water for industrial use at microelectronics, food and beverage, power, and pharmaceutical facilities. The technology is also very effective at removing bacteria, and organic contaminants.

Reverse osmosis separation technology is used to remove dissolved impurities from water through the use of a semi-permeable membrane. RO involves the reversal of flow through a membrane from a high salinity, or concentrated solution to the high purity, or “permeate”, stream on the opposite side of the membrane. Pressure is used as the driving force for the separation. The applied pressure must be in excess of the osmotic pressure of the dissolved contaminants to allow flow across the membrane.

How do Water Softeners work?

The idea behind a water softener is simple. The calcium and magnesium ions in the water are replaced with sodium ions. Since sodium does not precipitate out in pipes or react badly with soap, both of the problems of hard water are eliminated.

Water softeners are typically required when the source of water is a well, municipal or private. The water to be treated passes through a bed of the resin. Negatively-charged resins absorb and bind metal ions, which are positively charged. The resins initially contain univalent hydrogen, sodium or potassium ions, which exchange with divalent calcium and magnesium ions in the water. This exchange eliminates precipitation and soap scum formation.

As the water passes through the resin, the hardness ions replace the hydrogen, sodium or potassium ions which are released into the water. The “harder” the water, the more hydrogen, sodium or potassium ions are released from the resin and into the water.

What is a Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters have been sweeping the nation with a huge growth over the last 5 years or so. These are water heaters that do not have a tank. Many people believe that within the next 5 to 10 years 50% or more of all American homes will have a tank less water heater in them!

Tankless water heaters are available in electric, natural gas and propane fired models. They work on demand by using sensors and computer boards to monitor the flow of water and change the rate of firing to supply just the amount of hot water required for the current demand. This means that they burn less gas to supply hot water to something like a sink than they would if you are using multiple fixtures at the same time. This modulating firing rate also makes them very efficient to operate as you are only using the exact amount of fuel needed at that time.

The Rinnai® tankless water heater is a more efficient way to heat water. It heats water quickly and delivers an endless supply of hot water for as long as you need it. With the Rinnai tank less water heater, you only pay to heat water when you need it and for as long as you want it.

What is a Water Well Pump?

A water well pump is a pump that is used in extracting water from a water well. A home with a water well has its own electromechanical system for getting the water from the well to the house. At the heart of each system is a pump, and the most common types are jet pumps and submersible pumps.

What well pump is recommended for shallow wells?

These days, the most common pump for a shallow well is a jet pump. Jet pumps are mounted above the well, either in the home or in a well house, and draw the water up from the well through suction. Jet pumps create suction in a rather novel way. The pump is powered by an electric motor that drives an impeller, or centrifugal pump. The impeller moves water, called drive water, from the well through a narrow orifice, or jet, mounted in the housing in front of the impeller. This constriction at the jet causes the speed of the moving water to increase, much like the nozzle on a garden hose.

What well pump is recommended for deep wells?

While a jet pump can reliably handle a well several hundred feet deep, a more effective solution is to move the pump down into the well so, instead of lifting the water, it’s pushing it up. A typical submersible pump is characterized by a long cylindrical shape that fits inside the well casing. The bottom half is made up of a sealed pump motor that is connected to the aboveground power source and controlled by wires. The actual pump half of the unit is comprised of a stacked series of impellers-each separated by a diffuser-that drives the water up the pipe to the plumbing system. While submersible pumps are more efficient than jet pumps in delivering more water for the same size motor, pump or motor problems will necessitate pulling the unit from the well creating a job that’s best left to a pro. However, submersibles are known for their reliability and often perform their role for many years without servicing. Submersible pumps may also be used in shallow wells. However, silt, sand, algae and other contaminants can shorten the pump’s life.

Do You Need Plumbing Service?

Plumbing Installation in Fishersville, VA 22939

“Gene was very pleasant and knew exactly what he was doing. We were very fortunate to have him as our technician. Please send him again for any future jobs that we need that are right up his alley.”

– Terry S.

Plumbing Repair in Fishersville, VA 22939

November 16, 2018

“Never had any problems with this company done right the first time every time I am a customer for life! Their customer service can not be matched, I am that impressed.”

– Mark A.

Plumbing Repair in Waynesboro, VA 22980

November 15, 2018

“Gene called first to be sure I was home and stated he would here in 7 minutes. Accurate. He explained what he was going to do for the questionable plumbing problem…. . All checked out OK. For my convenience he turned off outdoor system for cold weather protection. Very pleased with his work and customer relations.”

Plumbing Repair in Waynesboro, VA 22980

Plumbing Installation in Staunton, VA 24401

“Gene is an excellent representative for your Co. . He is friendly, informative, efficient and knows what he is doing. I highly recommend him for all plumbing installation needs.”

– Howard K.

Plumbing Repair in Staunton, VA 24401

September 7, 2018

“Great job!!! Quick and very efficient!!”

– Carole I.

Plumbing Maintenance in Waynesboro, VA 22980

August 31, 2018

“Really appreciated Gene's assistance this morning with my bathroom sink and getting it in good working order. Gene is very professional, patient, knowledgeable and kind. I also appreciated his allowing me to watch the work done as it was not simple.”

– Mary C.

Plumbing Repair in Waynesboro, VA 22980

May 31, 2018

“Always A1 service. Not only
very knowledgeable but very
curtious and pleasant. Never
have we ever been disappointed with anyone.
Quality service with quality
products.”

-Bill and Jane

Plumbing Repair in Staunton, VA 24401

May 17, 2018

“The Holiday Inn Staunton relies on Vailes for major to minor repairs and we find Vailes to be extremely professional and cost effective. Bull has been the primary Technician for us and he is extremely knowledgeable and professional and most importantly timely. Jonathan Chief Engineer”

– Jonathan T.

Vailes Heating & Air is proud to offer services to Waynesboro, Staunton, Augusta County, and near by communities. Call us at 540-942-0198 or request service online today!